London 1890

A slim figure crouched on a ledge high above the bustling streets below, silent and still. One man moved through the numerous people and this man was her object.

"Gabriel Van Helsing" she said quietly. "Yes, now you are ours, Misha will get you"

He began to move out of sight and she followed, moving stealthily across the roof tops, suddenly he stopped and looked up at the place where she was standing, quickly she melted into the shadows out of his sight, but he saw the slight swirl as she moved into the shadows.

Van Helsing stared at the spot on the roof, he was sure he had seen someone standing there and he could feel there presence, but he was in a crowded street and dare not risk shooting at whatever in was, he walked off toward the carriage that was waiting at the end of the street for him.

When he got back to his house, he slid into his indoor clothes and went into the sitting room, it was quite a big house and certainly had lots of secret passages in and out of it.

Suddenly a servant came in saying: "Sir, there is a young woman at the door, she is soaking wet and covered in mud, should I bring her in and warm her up?"

"Yes, do that"Van Helsing answered. "And get her some fresh clothes, she'll need them, it's pouring out there"

"Right you are sir" said the servant and he went out into the hall.

When he returned some twenty minutes later, he was escorting a beautiful, in very pale and ill looking young woman, she had long wavy dark gold hair though it was slicked to her face with water, and flashing emerald eyes, her lips were blue with cold but she managed a small smile.

He stood up and bowed, showing her common courtesy, she bowed her head in acknowledgment of this and said: "I thank you kind sir, I was half drowned out there and it is so cold"

"You are welcome" he said as warmly as he could. "Pray tell me, what brought a lovely young lady such as yourself to be out in such weather?"

"I was out riding" she answered. "It began to rain and my horse took fright and bolted, leaving me in the rain and quite far away from my home"

He nodded and smiled.

"What is your name Miss?"

"Misha Korona, sir and yours?"

"Gabriel Van Helsing, at your service Miss Korona"

"It is lovely to meet you" she said, shaking his hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too" said Van Helsing. "Would you maybe like a drink of something? Brandy perhaps? You are quite pale"

"Oh yes that would be lovely, thank you" she answered. "You are too kind"

"It's my pleasure, don't think about" he answered. "Make yourself at home"

He walked off to the kitchen and Misha sat down in front of the fire, it was comfortable and cozy. He has got good tastes she thought, really good tastes unless this is his wifes and I don't think it is.

When he came back, she said: "Your house is beautiful. I would quite happily live here"

He smiled and handed her a glass of brandy saying: "Thank you, it's not much but it's home"

"So, mister Van Helsing" she said. "Is it you who has these fine tastes, or a wife?"

"I don't have a wife" he answered. "These tastes are completely mine"

"Oh" she mused. "And how am I supposed to believe that a rich and good looking man like you isn't married"

"Because I said I'm not"

"Alright, I believe you"

"So" he said. "Enough about me, what about you? Where do you live?"

"Oh about three miles away" she answered. "In a little village My father is Vicar there"

"Oh, really, I'm a man of the church myself" he said.

"Interesting" mused Misha.

"Whats so interesting?" He laughed.

"Its just that you don't look much like a Man of the Cloth" she answered. "But I know you are and I also know that you are the left hand of God. And that you killed the menace known as Count Dracula"

"How do you know all that?" He gasped, shocked.

"Lets just say, I know" she answered.

"Okay" he said still recovering from the shock.

Van Helsing looked at her, she was very beautiful now that her colour was returning and she had the most gorgeous smile.

"You must be tired" said Van Helsing. "Would you like to stay the night?"

"Oh yes, she answered" stifling a yawn. "Yes that would be very nice mister Van Helsing. Thank you"

"I'll show you to your room then" said Van Helsing. "or would you like something to eat?"

"Yes please" she answered.

"I'll have a servant bring something up to your room" he said.

He led her through the many roomed house and up the stairs to the second floor where all the bedrooms were, once there he led her to a large room and opened the door saying: "Here is your room, if you need anything, just ring the bell and you will be attended"

"Good night and thank you again for all your kindness" she said.

"You're welcome" he said and walked off down the landing to his own room.

He undressed, bathed and went to bed too spend a sleepless night thinking about the beautiful girl who slept three rooms away from him, who knew who he was and how much he missed Anna.

"How does she know?" he said aloud to the sealing. "How the bloody hell does she know?"

But the sealing said nothing.